Harnessing agroforestry to combat deforestation

Se Ngo
The Bird Village

March 24, 2025

“The human village is growing, its fields stretching toward the bird village. This seems alright at first but has now created some big troubles.”

—In “Bogeyman”; Wild Wise Weird [1]

[SCICOMM]

Deforestation, a major driver of biodiversity loss and climate change, is primarily fueled by agricultural expansion. Between 1980 and 2000, approximately 83% of new agricultural land in tropical regions was derived from intact or disturbed forests (Stevenson et al., 2013 [2]). Given agriculture’s dominant role in forest clearance, sustainable solutions such as agroforestry are essential to mitigating these impacts.

Agroforestry—the intentional integration of trees with crops or livestock in agricultural systems—provides substantial environmental and socio-economic benefits, including biodiversity conservation, improved soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and diversified income opportunities for local communities [3]. Recent research in Southeast Asia underscores agroforestry’s effectiveness in reducing deforestation. A study spanning 38 subnational regions found that agroforestry prevented approximately 250,319 hectares of deforestation annually, equivalent to avoiding 58.8 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year [4].



The success of agroforestry stems from its ability to enhance land-use efficiency, offering sustainable livelihoods that reduce incentives for forest clearance. In Southeast Asia, agroforestry systems hold the highest carbon stocks among global agroforestry landscapes, averaging 60–65 metric tons of carbon per hectare. By fostering a mosaic of agricultural lands interspersed with forest fragments, agroforestry not only preserves crucial habitats but also bolsters ecosystem resilience against environmental stressors [4].

Beyond its conservation benefits, agroforestry enhances agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Interventions focusing on soil fertility restoration, for example, have led to notable improvements in crop yields and farmer incomes, particularly in areas with depleted soils [3]. These economic benefits further establish agroforestry as a viable tool for sustainable development.

Historical precedents illustrate the vital role of agricultural innovation in forest conservation. The Green Revolution, which introduced high-yield crop varieties and improved agricultural productivity, prevented the conversion of an estimated 18 to 27 million hectares of natural ecosystems into farmland, significantly curbing deforestation [2]. Agroforestry extends this legacy by integrating productivity gains with environmental stewardship.

However, the impact of agroforestry on deforestation varies based on local conditions such as economic incentives, land tenure systems, and governance structures. While agroforestry can decrease deforestation by providing alternative livelihoods, there is also a risk that its profitability could drive further land conversion. Effective implementation must consider these socio-economic dynamics to ensure agroforestry delivers equitable and sustainable benefits [3,5].

It is clear that agroforestry presents a scalable and impactful solution for reducing deforestation by aligning conservation efforts with sustainable agriculture. To maximize its potential, policymakers must adopt context-sensitive strategies that balance ecological benefits with socio-economic considerations, ensuring agroforestry remains both environmentally and economically viable [5].

References

[1] Vuong QH. (2024). Wild Wise Weird. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG2NNHY6/

[2] Stevenson JR, et al. (2013). Green Revolution research saved an estimated 18 to 27 million hectares from being brought into agricultural production. PNAS, 110(21), 8363–8368. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1208065110

[3] Castle SE, et al. (2021). The impacts of agroforestry interventions on agricultural productivity, ecosystem services, and human well-being in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 17(2), e1167. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1167

[4] Teo HC, et al. (2025). Reduction of deforestation by agroforestry in high carbon stock forests of Southeast Asia. Nature Sustainability. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01532-w

[5] Nguyen MH. (2024). How can satirical fables offer us a vision for sustainability? Visions for Sustainability. https://ojs.unito.it/index.php/visions/article/view/11267